DARNEL
darnel, tare, bearded darnel, cheat, Lolium temulentum
(noun) weedy annual grass often occurs in grainfields and other cultivated land; seeds sometimes considered poisonous
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
darnel (usually uncountable, plural darnels)
A species of ryegrass, Lolium temulentum, often found in wheat fields and often host to a fungus intoxicating to humans and animals.
Various species of Lolium, especially as a weed in wheat fields.
Synonyms
• (Lolium temulentum): poison darnel
Hyponyms
• (various species of ryegrass): Persian darnel, white darnel, red darnel
Anagrams
• Ladner, Lander, Larned, Lenard, Nadler, Randel, Randle, aldern, enlard, lander, larned, learn'd, learnd, reland
Source: Wiktionary
Dar"nel, n. Etym: [OE. darnel, dernel, of uncertain origin; cf. dial.
F. darnelle, Sw. dår-repe; perh. named from a supposed intoxicating
quality of the plant, and akin to Sw. dåra to infatuate, OD. door
foolish, G. thor fool, and Ee. dizzy.] (Bot.)
Definition: Any grass of the genus Lolium, esp. the Lolium temulentum
(bearded darnel), the grains of which have been reputed poisonous.
Other species, as Lolium perenne (rye grass or ray grass), and its
variety L. Italicum (Italian rye grass), are highly esteemed for
pasture and for making hay.
Note: Under darnel our early herbalists comprehended all kinds of
cornfield weeds. Dr. Prior.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition